District News

February is for (Library) Lovers

Feb 14, 2018

February isn't just about romance with your valentine--it's also a month dedicated to the soft spot many among us have for our local libraries: Library Lovers Month!

In the spirit of this national appreciation month, it's easy to love Lincoln Square's two local public libraries. Both offer wonderful free programming and events outside of the countless learning, audio, and reading materials available.

At the Riverside Branch at 127 Amsterdam Ave, there are a number of programsfor older adults as well as children and everyone in between. For instance, on Thursdays each month from 1:00pm to 5:00pm, the library hosts a Retro Board Gaming and Jigsaw Puzzles Program for adults. During this time period, patrons can use library space as a community gathering for board game playing and meeting new people. There is also a Bridge Club that meets to play on Fridays at 10:30am for adults and seniors. Plus, there are Staywell Exercise for Seniorsclasses on Tuesdays at 2:00pm at the library as well as a handful of technology classes. You can also take advantage of some children's events, too, like the upcoming Build and Play! event on Tuesday, February 20 at 3:00pm or the LEGO Club event on Tuesday, February 27 at 3:30pm. Many of these programs occur monthly or continue each month, so check back with the Riverside Branch's events page regularly for up-to-date information.

While the Riverside Branch has many hands-on events for patrons of all ages, the Library for the Performing Arts at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza offers free music performances, cinema series, and programs tied to the art exhibits on display. For example, each Tuesday at noon, patrons can enjoy free dixieland jazz music from the Gotham Jazzmen. The library also hosts free art exhibits open to the public, and currently on display is Leonard Bernstein at 100, dedicated to the centennial celebration of the renowned conductor, as well as Toscanini: Preserving a Legacy in Sound, which explores Arturo Toscanini's legacy as a conductor with the NBC Symphony Orchestra and more. Other programs include a series called "The Dance Historian is in", which brings in knowledgeable dancers and historians to discuss dance styles with the audience. The next free discussion will take place on Wednesday, February 28 at 1:00pm and will cover Indian Classical Dance. Plus, the library has several events showcasing Broadway works, silent films, and more.

This article details only a handful of the free opportunities available at both of Lincoln Square's public libraries. Be sure to check out each location's events pages (here and here) to learn about more events and programs.